While the United States under Attorney General Jeff Sessions is mulling the possibility of stepping up federal enforcement of legalized states, Canada is set to roll-out full legalization of marijuana, including recreational marijuana, by the Summer of 2018.

Currently, the nation allows medical marijuana growth and dispensaries, with approximately 40 dispensaries peppering the country. Those with medical cards are also able to grow limited supplies.

This next step would allow anyone over the age of 18 to legally imbibe and would cut down on enforcement from Canadian police who are regularly engaging in raids and seizures of illegally-grown marijuana.

Some are concerned that the legislation may not go through, considering Trudeau’s reluctance to sign legislation decriminalizing the plant. While some expected this to be a logical first step in legalizing, Trudeau argued that doing so would put children and communities at risk.

But no matter how much of a victory for weed-enthusiasts this legalization is, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau doesn’t want you thinking he’s siding with recreational users.

“We’re not legalizing marijuana to please recreational users … we’ve said we’re going to do it to protect our kids and to keep the money out of the pockets of criminals.”

Sydney Robinson is a political writer for the Ring of Fire Network. She has also appeared in political news videos for Ring of Fire. Sydney has a degree in English Literature from the University of West Florida, and has an active interest in politics, social justice, and environmental issues. She would love to hear from you on Twitter
@SydneyMkay or via email at srobinson@ringoffireradio.com